Rodgers has enough cover as it is, and with the likelihood that Celtic will be in the market for a holding midfielder, given Eboue Kouassi’s injury, Mulumbu is seemingly surplus to requirements.

Brendan Rodgers has had to strengthen his squad to maintain Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Rodgers brought the DR Congo international to Celtic Park on a free from their title rivals, Kilmarnock, where he spent last season.

For his own career, even if Rodgers does not have faith in Mulumbu, another club will and he could prove to be a useful defensive midfielder elsewhere if he is to move on.

He brought in Odsonne Edouard, Youssouf Mulumbu, Scott Bain and Emilio Izaguirre on permanent deals, as well as Daniel Arzani and Filip Benkovic on loan.

Rodgers has made moves for three players so far in January; Oliver Burke; Timothy Weah; and Vakoun Issouf Bayo.

Scott Brown, Nir Bitton, Olivier Ntcham are all able to play the role that often only requires one holding midfielder, as in a game where The Bhoys will constantly be on the attack, they do not need as much protection at the back.